Coated and colored yarn having a transparent protective layer

ABSTRACT

A coated and colored yarn includes a core and a transparent protective layer. The core has an outer surface, and includes at least one yarn which is colored. The transparent protective layer is coated on the outer surface of the core. The yarn may include a plurality of false-twisted fibers which are made of a plastic material.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a yarn, more particularly to a coated and colored yarn that has a strong structure so as to be suitable for use in making woven articles.

2. Description of the Related Art

A clothing material is made conventionally by knitting yarns, which in turn, are formed by spinning and weaving natural or synthetic fibers. Although the yarns formed from such fibers have a substantial degree of softness, they have weak structures that are suitable only for making clothing materials, but not suitable for making woven supporting articles, such as seat cushions, backrest cushions, etc. In order to strengthen the structures of the aforesaid yarns, plastic materials are directly extruded to form stronger yarns. However, since plastic is easily deformed when pulled, the woven supporting articles made from said yarns are not durable. Another conventional method to strengthen the yarn and add color to the same is to spin plastic pellets into synthetic fibers, after which the synthetic fibers are false-twisted to form the yarn. Another batch of plastic pellets are added with a coloring agent, melted together so as to form a predetermined color, and then coated on an outer surface of the yarn, thereby providing the yarn with a coated layer having a predetermined color. Although this kind of yarn made from synthetic fibers is strong and is colored, since the coloring agent is added to the coated layer of the yarn, the color of the yarn fades easily when exposed to sunlight. Further, the coated layer of the yarn is easily removed when in direct contact with a user, so that a woven article made from such yarn quickly appears worn.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a coated and colored yarn that can receive direct sunlight without experiencing discoloration and that is durable.

According to this invention, a coated and colored yarn comprises a core and a transparent protective layer. The core has an outer surface, and includes at least one yarn which is colored. The transparent protective layer is coated on the outer surface of the core.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the first preferred embodiment of a coated and colored yarn according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of the first preferred embodiment;

FIG. 3 illustrates the first preferred embodiment in a state of use;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the second preferred embodiment of a coated and colored yarn according to the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a schematic front view of the second preferred embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Before the present invention is described in greater detail, it should be noted that like elements are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the first preferred embodiment of a coated and colored yarn 1 according to the present invention is shown to comprise a core 11, and a transparent protective layer 12.

The core 11, in this embodiment, includes a single yarn 112, which is colored. The single yarn 112 can be formed by spinning and false-twisting natural or synthetic fibers. In considering the cost and the strength of the structure of the single yarn 112, false-twisted synthetic Full Drawn Yarn (FDY) is preferable. Alternatively, the yarn 112 may be made from fibers of known materials, such as polyamide, polyacrylonitrile, polyester, etc. The fiber material used in the present invention is not particularly limited. In order for the yarn 112 to have a predetermined color, a coloring agent may be added directly to plastic pellets prior to a spinning process, or may be used in dyeing fibers formed from the plastic pellets after the spinning process.

The protective layer 12, in this embodiment, is made of a transparent or semi-transparent plastic material, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC). During manufacture, the plastic material is melted, and is then coated on an outer surface 111 of the core 11 to protect the same. The material for making the protective layer 12 is not limited to a particular material. As long as the material is not easily damaged by sunlight and not easily worn, it meets the basic criteria to determine suitability for use in the present invention.

Since the core 11 of the coated and colored yarn 1 is made from fibers which cannot be easily stretched and deformed, when a plurality of the yarns 1 are woven into a woven material 2 (see FIG. 3), this resulting woven material 2 has a strong structure. The woven material 2 also has a predetermined color. Further, the protective layer 12 coated on the outer surface 111 of the core 11 not only can permit viewing of the color of the core 11, but also can prevent the core 11 from direct exposure to sunlight. Hence, the woven material 2 is not discolored by sunlight, and is durable.

FIG. 3 illustrates how a plurality of the coated and colored yarns 1 can be interwoven to form a woven material 2, which in turn, is suitable for making woven articles (not shown), such as a seat cushion, a backrest cushion, a bottom wall or a side wall of a woven cabinet, etc. However, the field of application of the coated and colored yarn 1 of the present invention is not limited to the aforementioned examples.

The process for making the coated and colored yarn 1 of the present invention includes two steps: preparing the core 11, and forming the protective layer 12. The steps in preparing the core 11 include mixing and melting of raw material, spinning, and false-twisting. Strong polyester pellets and a coloring agent are mixed, and are then heated so as to melt. Afterwards, through a spinning device, the melted raw material is spun into fibers of a predetermined thickness. A plurality of the fibers are then false-twisted so as to form a plurality of the single yarns 112 which are colored. The single yarns 112 may be formed from false-twisting short or long fibers. The false-twisting method is not particularly limited. The fibers can be false-twisted to form fancy yarn, air textile yarn (ATY), draw textile yarn (DTY), etc. Since the coloring agent is directly added to the plastic pellets in the preparation process of the core 11, the core 11 produced has a predetermined color.

The steps in forming the protective layer 12 include melting the transparent or semi-transparent plastic material, such as PVC, and coating the melted plastic material on the outer surface 111 of the core 11. Since the plastic material is transparent, it not only can protect the core 11, but also can permit viewing of the color of the core 11.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the second preferred embodiment of a coated and colored yarn 1 according to the present invention is shown to be similar to the first preferred embodiment. In particular, the coated and colored yarn 1 comprises a core 11, and a transparent protective layer 12. The main difference between the first and second preferred embodiments resides in the structure of the core 11. In this embodiment, the core 11 includes a pair of yarns 112 which are colored and which are twisted together so that not only is the structure of the core 11 strong, but the appearance of the core 11 is also enhanced. To further strengthen the structure and the color variety of the yarn 1, the core 11 may include three, four, five, or more yarns which are different in color.

The steps for producing the coated and colored yarn 1 of the second preferred embodiment includes preparing the core 11, and applying the protective layer 12. The steps in preparing the core 11 include melting the raw material, spinning, initial false-twisting, dyeing, and final false-twisting. The raw material used includes polyester pellets, and is spun to form fibers. The fibers are then false-twisted to form a plurality of yarns. Next, some of the yarns 112 are dyed with a first color pigment, and the other yarns 112 are dyed with a second color pigment. Afterwards, two yarns 112 of different colors are twisted so as to form the core 11. Finally, the protective layer 12 is applied to the core 11 so as to form the coated and colored yarn 1 of FIG. 4.

From the aforementioned description, it is apparent that the core 11 of the coated and colored yarn 1 formed from the fibers has a predetermined color, and is coated with the transparent protective layer 12 so that the structure of the core 11 is strong, and viewing of the color of the core 11 is permitted. Further, since the core 11 has the transparent protective layer 12, it is not easily damaged so that the coated and colored yarn 1 of the present invention not only can resist discoloration when exposed to sunlight, but also is durable. The coated and colored yarn 1 can thus be woven to produce a resilient, long-lasting woven article.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements. 

1. A coated and colored yarn comprising: a core having an outer surface, and including at least one yarn which is colored; and a transparent protective layer coated on said outer surface of said core.
 2. The coated and colored yarn as claimed in claim 1, wherein said core includes a pair of said yarns which are twisted together.
 3. The coated and colored yarn as claimed in claim 1, wherein said core includes a plurality of said yarns which are different in color.
 4. The coated and colored yarn as claimed in claim 1, wherein said yarn includes a plurality of false-twisted fibers which are made of a plastic material.
 5. The coated and colored yarn as claimed in claim 4, wherein said plastic material incorporates a coloring agent.
 6. The coated and colored yarn as claimed in claim 4, wherein said plastic material has no coloring agent, and said fibers are dyed after being formed into said yarn. 